Our first post! Bella our Saint Bernard was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in July 2013, about three weeks ago. She is a very tall, happy, go-lucky girl about 126 lbs post surgery. As with any dog owner the news was devastating. We quickly started to search the web for support and discuss findings and options with our vet whom has just been amazing and very supportive in our decision making process. Last Friday, August 9th, Bella’s leg was amputated. We realize the cancer may have already spread but we couldn’t think of an alternative. She needs us to help give her every chance she has to fight this. We start her on low dose chemo next week.
We brought her home yesterday and she was so excited. She had a nice dog popsicle last night and you could just see in her face that she felt better. As of this morning, 2 days post surgery, I actually had to tell her to stop running! She is doing better than the vet expected (I knew my girl would). Prior to the surgery I kept asking all the “what ifs” like what if she hurts one of the three legs she has left but then I realized the one leg she had that we were removing was useless anyway. She was already running around on three most of the time and knowing there was a cancer in that leg that would hold her back was too much. Also knowing that it would eventually be so painful that even if she did beat the cancer and it didn’t spread that she would not be living a very happy life.
Currently we are doing everything we can, taking it day by day and we’ll see what happens. We switched her food to Blue Wilderness, a grain free low carb food and found some low carb treats for her as well. In case anyone is looking we are using lamb lung treats, and Beams makes this great catfish skin stick which she loves. We also switched to the raw bones that you keep in the freezer from Instinct Raw Bone. The vet also suggested vitamin C and she has been on that for about a week. Carbs feed tumors so if you can avoid them or reduce intake it’s good.
Thanks for reading, if Bella’s story can help anyone else out there in a panic, trying to make a decision, researching about what to do we are grateful. Every dog is different and we all know our dogs the best. Here’s to the next post and keeping our fingers crossed there will be many more.
Bella and family, welcome to Tripawds. We’re sorry you had to be here but glad that you are sharing her story so that others will be comforted by her inspawrational tale.
You are in great company; unfortunately we have a lot of giant breed doggies in our community, including Hannah the Mastiff, Atlas the Dane and also Chuck the Saint, among many, many others. I encourage you to visit our Forums, especially our “Size and Age Matters” discussion where you can get your questions answered and be there for others too.
We’re glad things are going so well! Keep us posted and remember we’re here to help.
Jerry, many thanks for the welcome as well as the suggestions I will check out “Size and Age Matters”. It’s amazing how well these big guys do!
Welcome Bella & Family-
So sorry about the diagnosis, but glad you were able to find the site. Can’t wait to see lots of pictures of Bella (Sally & Hannah will come find you if you don’t post some!!). You will get lots of great advice on here from the large dog contingent as there are some great ones!
We are here to listen and cry and smile with you at anytime.
Take care and keep up posted!!
Luanne & Shooter
Oh goodness! I can share your joy with finding this site! Our golden retriever just had her leg amputated this past Wednesday so we’re close to your schedule. This site has been AMAZING! I post something and sure enough, someone has been through the same thought, emotion, scenario! It’s awesome.
Glad your Bella is doing well. 😉 Looking forward to your updates.
Bella! Great job girl! Out of recovery and already trying to over-do it!Now’ remember Bella, you’re still a little high on those powerful hospital meds that make you see pik elepha ts! So if you kkinda’ “crash” in a da r two, tht’s normal!
Thanks for shar g all the great info. on Bella’s nutrition, etc. Gon a’ look for those frozen raw bones. Happy Hannah will love those!
You have a great artitude—–both of you! I can’t wait for you to learn how to post pictures (I still have to have someone help me…I’m very computer illiterate). Can’t wait to see that sweet mug:-)
Please keep us posted and we’ll all look forward to more updates AND, hopefully pictures!
CNGRATULATIONS BELLA!
Sally and Happy Hannah
(a chunky overweight Bull Mastiff almost six months post amp and still counting! Evsryday is a blissfully nappy gift!)
Thank you everyone for all the support. I’m still trying to figure out how to post a picture, all I’ve been able to do so far is update the header. It’s so good to know there are others out there.
Bella, You and Queenie are twins. She had her right front Paw amputated the same day. She is doing quite well. She started Chemo the following week. Her five week x-ray came back clear. The day we went to pick her up, my wife and were convinced we made the wrong decision. WE WERE WRONG. Queenie recovered so quickly, it was and is amazing. As you said above, we take it day by day. The best thing about those days is, she is pain free and happy as hell. Queenie is a 6 yr. old Saint. She was 134 before surgery. She is now 114. The people on this site that have been through this and are going through it now are incredible inspirations to people about to go through it. Glad to hear Bell is doing great